It’s the Internet! Don’t Believe Everything You Read…
Or You’ll Get a Splinter in Your Gut.

Over the past week, jokes about eating trees, eating bark, becoming a
beaver or woodchuck will cure your IBD have been making the rounds in the
online IBD support groups thanks to a loosely written article that went online
courtesy of the British newspaper The Sun.
The article titled, “I
healed myself of incurable disease… by eating TREES” is salacious enough to
get anyone to read it. But when it started popping up in Crohn’s, UC and IBD
news filters it caught a lot of eyes… and then a lot of laughs.

To be clear, yes there are some tree barks found to have medicinal
properties. The woman who claims she is cured from her Crohn’s disease (but
more than likely is just in remission) even admits that eating the barks felt
awful at times. Really? The newspaper tried to grant more validity to her claim
by posting a snippet from the woman’s personal GI, which touts she does not
have signs of active disease. This is something most logical people would
attribute to remission. But to add another log on the fire (pun intended) The Sun had one of their own medical
commentators add her two cents and at the very end she urges caution to not do
more harm than good.

So what did we learn from this boys and girls? Don’t get out the wood
chipper just yet!

Join the Upcoming CCFA Online Support Group Series

Over the next couple of months, the CCFA Online Support Group will host
a series of online chat where people can connect with others who have Crohn’s
disease and ulcerative colitis. Over the course of the 4-week series, you will
be able to participate in weekly chat sessions that cover specific IBD-related
topics and allow participants to share their views on each topic. Each
90-minute chat session is guided by a CCFA moderator.

Potential Pediatric Crohn’s Medication Used for
Induction Into Remission Has Received Fast-Track Approval by FDA

A while back we reported about Soligenix, a development stage
biopharmaceutical company, working on a pediatric medication for Crohn’s
disease called SGX203 or Oral BDP. The Sacramento
Bee Has reported exciting news that BDP/SGX203 has been given the Fast
Track designation by the FDA for the “induction
treatment of mild-to-moderate pediatric Crohn’s.

The Sac Bee described Fast
Track as something reserved for a drug intended to treat a serious or
life-threatening condition. It is also described as a process for a medication
that will help a condition that has an unmet medical need thus far.

This is so very important to the pediatric Crohn’s community, because
at the moment there aren’t any Corticosteroid treatments available. By being
granted the Fast Track status, the drug can be rolled out to the patient
community while the company can submit new studies to the FDA for further
approval as more information is gathered. In other words, the FDA has
confidence enough in this medication that they are willing to relax their
stringent rules just a bit to help the sick children of the Crohn’s community.

Data highlights inlcude: How many Canadians are currently living with
IBD and then break down the data per Crohn’s and UC patients, the report also
lists the difference in Canadians with the diseases since its last report made
in 2008. The report delves into the amount of children reported with the disease,
and the prevalence of having IBD over other inflammatory diseases among other
facts. This is definitely a good read, especially for those of you in need of
fresh facts for reporting purposes.

Inserting a Protein Into Gut Bacteria May Fight
Crohn’s and UC

We reported last week on data coming back from researchers regarding
the use of bacteria where a human protein, Elafin, is inserted into it, and has
helped fight gut inflammation in mice. Rather than reporting the same thing
findings over again, this
article posted by Vonda J. Sines, on Yahoo News, does an excellent job at
explaining the bacteria, the protein, and how everything works in tandem.

Arizona Elks Major Projects Commits to Raising $2.5
million for Childhood Disease Research

For over 10 years, The Elks have committed time, effort and funds to
the Steele Children’s Research Center. And now they are committing to raise 2.5
million over the next 10 years. Funds will benefit pediatric research for
autoimmune diseases such as Type I Diabetes (juvenile), MS, IBD and Celiac. To
read more about the new program and how it will grow over the next decade, click
here.

New Study Identifies Factors Relating to Surgical
Complication After Resection for IBD

Whether you are an older patient, suffer from CD or UC, have an certain
type of procedure conducted, or were operated on with a certain set of tools,
or were admitted into the hospital due to a specific set of circumstances…
researchers have been able to whittle down the likelihood or lack thereof in
whether or not you will experience post-surgical complications after a
resection for either CD or UC. Pretty interesting stuff, check
it out!

The Canadian Jewish News Highlights Crohn’s and
Colitis Awareness Month and Speaks with Toronto’s Mount Sinai CEO and President
Dr. Joseph Mapa About Awareness and Finding a Cure

As mentioned in one of the articles above, it’s Crohn’s and Colitis
awareness month in Canada. Like the CCFA in the states, the CCFC works hard at
generating awareness and raising funds for research and treatment for IBD,
which affects more people than MS, Parkinsons, or Epilepsy in Canada.

This article
showcases interviews with two leading doctors about treatment evolution, how
IBD affects patients emotionally and financially via employment, and one mother
expressing her concerns for the future of her child’s health care as well as
her family’s fundraising efforts over the past few years to ensure a better
future for those with IBD.

NPR’s Talk of the Nation Addresses Genetic Clues
That May Help Unravel Cause of Crohn’s

Feel like listening to the Talk of the Nation show featuring Crohn’s
disease or just want to read it? You can do both, here.
Although some of the information discussed like genetically engineered bacteria
that you can put in yogurt, or how IBD actually works is not new to most of us
living with IBD, hearing the conversation between a lay person and a leading
expert in IBD gives the conversation an air of new energy. And in case any of you were wondering, yes thepig whipworms are discussed, and it
is fabulous – enjoy!

Looking for Ways to Raise Awareness for IBD, Help
Raise Funds for a Cure, and Meet Others Who Go Through the Same Trials You Do?
Get Involved!

Here is a list of events you can get involved with to help raise
awareness, funds and endorphins:

Each ride averages 70 miles a day and has 2 overnight camps. During the
Ride, you will receive support from GYIG staff and an all-volunteer crew. You
will also get to participate in an opening ceremony, as well as be provided
with meals and route support, including fully stocked rest stops, sweep
vehicles, and baggage transport between camps. In order to participate in the 2-day
long ride, the requirements are an $85 registration fee and fundraising of at
least $1,250. For more info you can call 1-718-875-2123 or e-mail the GYIG
folks at info@ibdride.org.

Team Challenge is the CCFA’s endurance training and fundraising
challenge. Participants can run or walk 13.1 miles or train for a triathlon or
cycling event while helping to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and UC. Visit
the http://www.ccteamchallenge.org/
page to determine which event you’d prefer to participate in and then go from
there. If you aren’t sure about forming your own team, that’s okay they can
help hook you up with one. Pretty cool right?

This is another CCFA event involving walks held all over the nation. One
of the great things about this event is that is usually held in the same place
at the same time, every year. This means that participants can fundraise all
year long; up until the very day of the walk. The CCFA provides team captains
and their fellow walkers with fundraising ideas and support. So if you want to
go big on your fundraising efforts you will have the help of the CCFA to guide
you. To learn more about the Take Steps Walk visit their FAQ page
or fill out their Request
More Information Page.

Have a favorite charity that we didn't mention? Send us your
suggestions at: tracyr@healthline.com